Recent Advances in Multifunctional Photothermal Materials for Solar‐Driven Steam and Energy Generation

Abstract

Solar‐driven evaporation technology is rejuvenated by multifunctional photothermal materials into complimentary energy conversion applications. These multifunctional materials endow broadband solar absorptions, chemical/physical stability, porous, and active sites for in ‐situ photodegradation with exceptional solar‐to‐vapor conversion efficiencies. The structural configuration of evaporation structures is significantly improved by effective thermal management and salt‐resistant water channels with balanced relation between evaporation flux and water intake. These attributes lead this technology to higher evaporation rates and complimentary applications such as waste heat recovery to thermoelectricity, salt collection from seawater, and micro‐organism disinfection from wastewater. This review comprehensively reports the recent advances in state‐of‐the‐art multifunctional materials, novel evaporation designs with significant structural optimization, and their small‐scale prototypes. The current challenges, origins, and possible solutions are provided. This systematic review inspires the nanoresearch community to push forward solar‐driven evaporation technology with superb complimentary energy conversion applications.

Cost Effective Photothermal Materials Selection for Direct Solar-Driven Evaporation

“…21 In comparison, copper is notably cheaper than conventional noble metals and exhibits a wide plasmonic absorption spectrum. 22 Materials capable of absorbing a broad solar spectrum can be further combined with low-cost materials as composites. For example, gold nanoparticles can be decorated onto a natural wood matrix (Basswood) to produce plasmonic wood using Sn 2+ to reduce Ag + or Au 3+23 or via deep metallization of the cell wall on Balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale, porosity (90%)).…”

“…Moreover, in terms of cost in kilogram, plasmonic particles like silver can cost over 500 USD per kg, while semiconductor materials such as TiO 2 are comparatively cheaper, at less than 50 USD per kilogram . In comparison, copper is notably cheaper than conventional noble metals and exhibits a wide plasmonic absorption spectrum …”

“… 21 In comparison, copper is notably cheaper than conventional noble metals and exhibits a wide plasmonic absorption spectrum. 22 …”